The five stages of a hoarded home include minimal clutter, mild clutter, moderate clutter, severe clutter, and extreme clutter. These levels reflect increasing challenges regarding acquisition, clutter, and discarding. As well as disorganization, difficulty with decision-making, social isolation and general impairment.
Each progressive stage brings with it increasing health and safety risks, affecting both the hoarder and those living with them. Intervention by third parties is often best left to medical professionals, or else it could become counter-productive.
Confirming a Few Terms to Get Started
Hoarding disorder is a complex condition with many twists and turns. The five stages of a hoarded home are characterized by increasing piles of clutter in the hoarder’s residence. The piles of possessions are often worthless trash, although they may also be family heirlooms, documents, and even pets.
The condition sometimes begins in childhood, but usually only develops fully in early senior years. Hoarders often seek to conceal their life style because of social pressure. Here are some of the common warning signs:
- Ongoing difficulty with letting things go, even if they have no real or perceived value.
- A sense of acute distress, paranoia, even grief at the thought of discarding possessions.
- Allowing hoarded possessions to prevent normal use of living spaces, and blocked exits.
A Cluttered Study But Not a Hoard Image ©Avery Associates
Five Classic Stages of a Hoarded Home
Stage One: Minimal Clutter In a Tidy Home
Cleanliness and organization are still hallmarks of the average Stage One home. A few piles of clutter are evident, although the living spaces are usable, and the exit routes are clear.
All in the home appears normal. Everything seems in good repair, although there may be minor electrical or plumbing issues. The home has adequate ventilation, and there are no signs of mould.
Stage Two of a Developing Hoarded Home
This time, we encounter mild clutter we might occasionally have to step across. But there are no bad smells, and we can reach all the appliances readily. The living spaces are still usable, and the exit routes are still clear.
The place might look a bit messy, but the ventilation is still good, and, if there are pets, the home can easily accommodate them. There are no electrical or plumbing problems, or mould that we can see.
Stage Three: The Clutter Starts to Take Over
Stage Three marks the midpoint of the five stages of a hoarded home. We enter to find a growing unsanitary, unsafe environment. We have difficulty accessing some areas in the home.
Things to look out for in Stage Three include deteriorating living conditions, with at least one major appliance malfunctioning. We notice animal droppings if there are pets. One exit is blocked. The kitchen garbage can is overflowing.
Stage Four And The Hoarded Clutter is Severe
The hoarders home has now become clearly unsafe and unsanitary. We can’t access any of the common living spaces anymore. The situation is spinning out of control. Time has arrived to seek professional advice.
Warning signs to watch out for include spreading mould on walls and work surfaces. Are there fire hazards developing, are there fire extinguishers we can see? There is only one way left to navigate through the home.
The Fifth Stage Of An Extremely Hoarded Home
The resident of the extremely hoarded home is now confined to a virtual prison, from which they try to exclude all visitors. There are any number of fire hazards. We find mould and mildew everywhere we look.
The last of the five stages of a hoarded home, is witness to insect, animal and human faeces. Heaps of clutter are everywhere. We find ourselves creeping and crawling around what was once a lovely home.
Hoarders often feel a deep sense of shame over their living conditions, and as we know, these are not really under their control. Therefore, we need to be sensitive before we intrude on them, especially if we bring a third party with us.
However, we ought not to allow the situation to continue, if a hoarder no longer has access to critical rooms. This is especially the case if we are among those people who could provide the greatest degree of support.
Avery Associates May Be Able to Help
We are not psychologists or social workers, although we do offer a bespoke home clearance service using our own people who care. We wish you every best fortune on your journey, if you know a hoarder who needs your help.
We’ll be here to help you, if you reach the point where you need to clear that hoarder’s home. Give us a call, and we’ll share our experience of these situations over many years. It will be our pleasure to help you too, if and when you are ready for us.
More Information
Clearing Hoarded Houses With Respect
Support for Someone with Hoarding Disorder
Recently I had two family members pass away & one had a hoarding addiction, leaving the house in a real mess, so I was left with no choice but to hire a specialist company to clear the entire house. I’m glad I chose Jeff and his team, as with his experience and his team I was in good hands.(Richard Clarke)
